Global Scans · Economy · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: The global economy still faces serious headwinds and political uncertainty potentially balanced by the enormous promise of technological advancements in many fields. Read on to get a solid handle on the opportunities and risks you and your organization may likely face and set your sails accordingly.

• [New] The next frontier of economic strength, national defence, and off-world expansion will not be defined by the nation that reaches space first, but by the nation that builds the logistics systems that make deep-space presence operational, repeatable, and commercially scalable. FM Industry
• [New] We will see further Consumer Duty reviews and rule simplification programmes in the UK alongside similar plans in the EU, as regulators look to reduce compliance burdens on firms and free up resources for growth agendas. Baker McKenzie
• [New] With industries seeking lightweight structures, complex geometries, faster production cycles, and localized manufacturing, 3D printing providers will continue to play a pivotal role in reshaping global manufacturing value chains. SNS Insider
• [New] The energy sector led the S&P 500, with oil prices climbing on concerns over supply disruptions as the Iran situation escalated and natural gas prices climbed over 50% in response to a blast of arctic air. ATB Financial
• [New] Many U.S. companies have sought to reassure investors that tariffs are manageable, but early earnings-season comments suggest profit margins are at risk with consumers balking at higher prices. SeafoodNews
• [New] Nepal's Economy Expected to Grow 4% in FY 2024/25 Amid Eased Inflation: Nepal Rastra Bank's preliminary forecast projects the economy to grow by 4% in FY 2024/25 at current prices, with consumer price-based growth at 4.6%. Nepal News
• [New] Among the top five risks identified by the Executive Opinion Survey, crime and illicit economic activity is ranked as the most serious risk for Bangladesh, followed by geoeconomic confrontation, inflation, economic downturn and rising debt. The Daily Star
• [New] Geo-economic confrontation has emerged as the top global risk, most likely to trigger a major crisis in 2026, replacing armed conflict and climate shocks at the top of the risk rankings. The Daily Star
• [New] Global economic losses from events such as hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and severe storms are projected to exceed $300 billion annually, with the insurance protection gap narrowing to under 40% but still leaving billions uninsured. Insurance Journal
• [New] According to the World Economic Forum, to align with the 1.5-degree pathway, the amount of global cropland managed using regenerative agriculture would need to increase from 15% to 40% by 2030. sustainalytics.com
• [New] Europe seems to be tiring of its sycophantic approach to President Trump's antics, and might not be so conciliatory this year, whilst China's technological prowess, (notably in EV, DeepSeek and energy applications) is expanding their economic influence and underpinning their export economy. Joseph Palmer and Sons
• [New] There are downside risks from global trade disruptions, conflict and geopolitical tensions and more persistent inflation in major advanced economies. Pearls and Irritations
• [New] Governments are racing to secure access, reshaping production and trade patterns in ways that could redefine global supply chains. Diplomatist
• [New] We expect global increases in crude oil supply to continue to outpace increases in demand in 2026 and for crude oil prices to fall to their lowest annual average since 2020. EIA - Energy Information Administration
• [New] Retail U.S. gasoline prices will be lower the next two years than in 2025, falling 6% in 2026 and then increasing 1% in 2027. EIA - Energy Information Administration
• [New] Melting sea ice is creating economic opportunities for Russia from resource extraction to shipping. NPR
• [New] There will be increased pressure from users expecting AI agents to become more powerful, and organizations under pressure to develop and release agents to production as fast as possible. ZDNet
• [New] 84% of travelers would prefer a smaller town for their 2026 escapes, as they expect lower prices and less crowds, but more authenticity. Hotel Online
• [New] We keep a clear preference for Europe, supported by the implementation of fiscal stimulus plans - notably in Germany - expected to bolster infrastructure and defence sectors. Societe Generale
• [New] AI and robotics could drive unprecedented global economic growth, creating a future of abundance where machines meet most human needs. Economic Times
• [New] The consumer price index (CPI) will rise 1.64% in 2026, citing stable global commodity prices and falling oil prices. Focus Taiwan - CNA English News

Last updated: 27 January 2026